A San Antonio faith-based nonprofit, King’s Compassion, is working to ensure older adults in the community are not forgotten. The organization, which is mostly volunteer-based, provides fresh groceries and resources to low-income, homebound seniors every month.
Serving the Forgotten
King’s Compassion was started about 15 years ago by Robert and Rose Reyes in their home. The couple was inspired to dedicate their lives to serving low-income, homebound older adults after seeing the need in their community. According to Rose Reyes, many seniors live on less than $900 a month, which is below the federal poverty level of $1,468 per month.
The organization now operates out of a West Side warehouse and serves 14 zip codes in San Antonio’s higher poverty areas. They provide not only groceries but also paper products, laundry items, and toiletries, which cannot be purchased with food stamps. The cost of these essential items can be around $45 to $50 per month per senior.
A Personal Touch
King’s Compassion also provides fans during the summer months, which can be a lifesaver for seniors without air conditioning. One senior, Joyce Garcia, 85, has benefited greatly from the organization’s services. She has lived alone for years and has no central air in her small home. Despite the challenges, Garcia remains positive and credits her faith for getting her through tough times.
Garcia has become like family to the volunteers at King’s Compassion, who visit her regularly and provide her with the necessities. She is grateful for their friendship and the sense of community they bring to her life. As Garcia says, ‘They are very important because they deal with people who slipped through the cracks and nobody notices.’
King’s Compassion is making a difference in the lives of many seniors like Garcia, and their work is a testament to the power of faith and community. By supporting this organization, individuals can help ensure that older adults in San Antonio are not forgotten and have the resources they need to thrive.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
